Summer cobwebs are catching dust now, their architect/owner’s duties complete. Here are recent neighborhood sightings which deserve to be shared. After a summer of nocturnal harmonies, calls of the Baja California tree frogs are making way for the crickets’ jingling bell calls. It was glorious when they were performing together. Great Horned owls’ calls areContinue reading “Autumn in the Canyon”
Category Archives: Flora
Hummingbird at Alstroemeria Lilies
Known as Peruvian Lilies, Alstroemerias are often found in grocery store flower bouquets or bunches. After the debacle with the squirrels devouring the sunflowers (click on August 5 2024 post here for the particulars), we brought home Alstroemeria Lilies. Arranged simply in a pitcher on the patio table, they’re colorful and cheery. To our delight,Continue reading “Hummingbird at Alstroemeria Lilies”
What’s a SoCal Squirrel to Eat?
Today’s guest post by Bob Yates. If you’re a naturalist neophyte like me, you probably think squirrels exist solely on nuts, chiefly acorns. Au contraire, as our patio field camera surveillance and phone video proved recently. Turns out, Mr. Ground Squirrel prefers sunflowers and parsley too! Click here to watch the squirrel in full parsleyContinue reading “What’s a SoCal Squirrel to Eat?”
July 2024 Notes
Our Mojave Sage is blooming for the first time. As the name suggests, its range is a little northeast of us, and for that reason, I wasn’t sure it would thrive in this chaparral microclimate. This is one of several native plants purchased last autumn in an attempt to provide local insects and birds withContinue reading “July 2024 Notes”
Winter in the Canyon
On a recent morning in the Santa Ynez Canyon, as I was looking toward Topanga State Park, two native trees stood out. A ribbon-like stand of California Sycamores in the creek bed contrasted with the lush greenery of the upland Coast Live Oaks. The sycamores, like some oaks of the savannah in the Midwest, keepContinue reading “Winter in the Canyon”
Notes from the Canyon – August 6, 2023
~ This year’s juvenile Common Ravens have moved from newly hatched to branchlings to fully fledged birds. This group, occasionally harassed by Red Shouldered Hawks and heard outside our windows, continued to beg earnestly for food whenever the parents flew back with snacks. Starting this week, we heard no begging calls whatsoever. It’s time toContinue reading “Notes from the Canyon – August 6, 2023”
Oddments
~ The American robins have found the seeps in Santa Ynez Canyon and are flocking to drink, en route north. Larger than their European counterparts which are house sparrow-sized, they are reliable visitors to birdbaths and often found around hackberry trees in winter. In spring and summer, they’re easily spotted with earthworms and insects in theirContinue reading “Oddments”
Lesser Goldfinches
California sycamore trees are frequently seen in gardens and on public property around Southern California. The seed pods of the trees that dangle in winter are brown orbs, about one inch in diameter. But to lesser goldfinches, these seeds are lunch! Malibu Lagoon has sycamores growing between the Pacific Coast Highway and the estuary. OnContinue reading “Lesser Goldfinches”
Fox Tail Agave
What appears at first glance to be a sad, droopy plant is actually a thriving life source for insects and birds. Sending up an arching, flower-covered stem after growing for ten years, the fox tail agave blooms starting in late summer through early spring. It is a magnet for bees and birds including hummingbirds, commonContinue reading “Fox Tail Agave”
American Crows Eat Prickly Pears
To our astonishment, spines of the prickly pear do not deter our neighborhood American Crows from eating the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. Who knew this was a source of sustenance for them? Moreover, might the crows’ digestion of the fruit disperse the seeds to start new plantings? We marveled at how they couldContinue reading “American Crows Eat Prickly Pears”
Mashabu 